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Committee approves bill clarifying limited on-site maintenance at public airports after FAA concerns addressed
Summary
House Bill 505 would allow FAA-certified technicians to perform certain maintenance on privately owned aircraft stored in leased or owned hangars at public airports, with amendments added to address airport revenue and grant-assurance concerns raised by airport managers and federal officials; the committee reported the bill favorably.
House Bill 505, which clarifies when FAA-certified technicians may perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on privately owned aircraft stored in hangars at public airports, was reported favorably by the Transportation Committee May 6 after amendments and a commitment to address FAA concerns.
Representative Cruz said the bill codifies common practice and clarifies permissible maintenance tasks, noting that minor owner-conducted maintenance — such as battery changes or light bulb replacement — has occurred informally and that written authorization and escort rules are appropriate when a hangar is privately leased. The committee adopted a set of amendments that: (1) made technical fixes, (2) required prior written permission from a hangar owner or lessee if the hangar is leased or owned by someone other than the airport, and (3) clarified that preventative maintenance or minor repair work requires prior authorization from the airport authority where applicable — and that nothing in the bill restricts aircraft owners from hiring FAA-certified technicians.
Airport managers and the Louisiana Airport Managers Association raised concerns that certain escort or access provisions, as originally drafted, could create a federal grant-assurance issue if airports used public funds to escort technicians into private hangars. Scott Gamble of the Louisiana Airport Management Association told the committee he had discussed the text with the FAA and that two of the amendments addressed FAA concerns; the sponsor agreed to work with airports and the FAA to finalize language before floor action.
Alexander International Airport Executive Director Ralph Hennessy opposed the bill as unnecessary, saying airports already operate under FAA rules and local airport regulations. Representative Chasson moved to report the bill favorably; the committee approved the motion and the sponsor said he would refine language with airports and FAA ahead of floor consideration.
